In a brief search, it appears that the ISS is within Earth's magnetosphere and is largely protected from ionizing radiation e.g. [1]. The radation and possible craft shielding question is at the forefront of my mind; not only for a Mars crew, but for the plant seeds/seedlings they'd necessarily be bringing with them for an eventual food cycle. Any construction materials, fuels, etc. will have to either be shielded (heavy and bulky) or immune to changes from radiation. Also, Mars's magnetosphere is super weak compared to Earth's, so this is an ongoing concern after a successful transit and landing.
I'm thinking that best practice for a potential Martian would be to create a sperm/egg cold-storage repository before leaving Earth (in case they want kids after potentially and safely returning). Kind of a weird, radiation-related tangent.
I wonder if you could re-create a magnetosphere by wrapping the entire planet in wire. Thinking this would be feasible once cheap high temperature superconductors are available that don't "quench" [1]. Sigh.
Thick plastic would provide adequate shielding from radiation, and could one day be made from local materials. Or we could just live underground. Fiber optics could be used to channel sunlight deep underground.
I'm thinking that best practice for a potential Martian would be to create a sperm/egg cold-storage repository before leaving Earth (in case they want kids after potentially and safely returning). Kind of a weird, radiation-related tangent.
[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/jillianscudder/2016/08/23/astroq...